Adult Protection

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COVID-19 update

Social Services continues to provide services through our various access points. For many programs, we are temporarily changing how we deliver critical community services to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Social Services will to continue to provide essential services while also protecting the well-being of our staff, contracted partners and all County residents.
Find out how our services are changing.

Protecting vulnerable adults

Dakota County protects vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment. Social Services takes steps to investigate the abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Vulnerable adults are anyone 18 years of age or older who live in licensed facilities (nursing home, hospital or residential facility), receive health services at home or require help in caring or protecting themselves.

Reporting maltreatment of a vulnerable adult

To report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult, call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center at 1-844-880-1574 or
report online.
If a person is in immediate danger, call 911.

When you report abuse, include the following:

The name and address of the vulnerable adult

The name and address of the person causing harm

The date and time of the alleged harm

Details of what happened

If you give your name as the reporter, your name will be kept confidential.

Definition of adult maltreatment

Adult maltreatment is any physical or emotional act that harms or intends harm; words or gestures that harm or intend harm; forcing a vulnerable adult to perform services for the advantage of another; not providing enough food, clothing, shelter, health care or supervision; and unauthorized use of the vulnerable adult’s money or property.